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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He believed the dental issue was due to a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.